Prepared by Pastor Calvin Cook – November 14, 2024
Day 3 – How Is It With Your Soul
Psalm 119:1-2 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—
I stepped into worship this morning at 8:30 AM – having a renewed sense of what it might mean to be caring for my soul. After the walk this past week on the beach, talking with God and taking time to listen, clearing my head a bit, I found a renewed sense of purpose. Coming to the reasoning that it is not all about me, but God. I began to feel a renewed sense of strength and uplifting in my soul.
After the worship started, the “call to worship” was from Psalm 119:1-8 – the words from the ending of the second verse “seek Him with all their heart.” Hmmm – soul care begins with seeking God with all our heart, not just in bits and pieces but all of the time. In knowing that we seek God by keeping his statues, the same way we love God by keeping his commandments.
As I stepped aside after the welcome to worship to the left side of the sanctuary, I was suddenly gripped by the stain glass window in front of me. The window depicts as some say the story of the rich young ruler – others say it is Nicodemus’s encounter with Jesus. Either way it jumped at me in a new way and captivated me. Though I have probably looked at that window 1,000 times or more over the last 8 years, today it was fresh and new and spoke directly to my heart. The sun was coming through at a different way and in a different time, the shadows of the trees outside were bringing movement and life to this 130-year-old glass. It was alive, living, and active just as God is, as God’s word is, and it was speaking some truths to me that would change me forever.
I knew I had to change! I knew the sermon had to change! I knew my understanding of God had to change! All because I was caught up in the voice and movement of God. While the opening song was being sung followed by the opening prayer – I felt the voice of the Holy Spirit go into – high speed fast forward – “Look at me, I am God, same today as I was yesterday and 1,000,000 years ago. I love you – do you love me. I want you to be at peace. Don’t be bothered by what others say and think, be renewed by my words. Keep your focus. Trust! Have faith! Believe!” and more than I can share with you here. It was powerful!
Maybe no one else saw it, but I saw it! Maybe no one experienced it, but I experienced it! I experienced God and for that moment I could say “It is well with my soul”.
We often speak in the Wesleyan Theology about seeing God, hearing from God, and experiencing God. It is true, it can happen, but we must be willing to be more concerned with what God wants to do in us and through us, rather than what we want for ourselves. Soul care does require us to do what Psalm 118:8 ask of us “to take refuge in the Lord, rather than to trust in man.” Or anything else that you are trusting in and placing more confidence in than in God.
I pray – Lord may my soul find healing by trusting in you and nothing else. Lead me to the place that I need to be so my soul may find a holy refreshment. Amen
Citations: Psalm 118 references from the English Standard Version – (ESV) The reflection and reference to Nicodemus meeting Jesus can be found in John 3. You can find the story of the Rich Young Ruler meeting Jesus in three places in the Bible: Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, and Luke 18:18-30. It’s a teaching where Jesus challenges the young man to sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. This story emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material riches. Of knowing how it is with your soul.
Thoughts from the Edges 
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